Natural Treatments for Myositis

Myositis is a medical term for inflammation of the muscles. Although this condition affects approximately 50,000 Americans, it can be difficult to diagnose. This is because it mimics the symptoms of fibromyalgia, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. Myositis can occur by itself or in conjunction with other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.

Common Types of Myositis

There are four common types of myositis:

Myositis Ossificans

Myositis ossificans often occurs as a result of a sports-related muscle injury. After a contusion or strain, bone begins to grow inside the muscle, resulting in tenderness, muscle weakness, stiff muscles, swelling, and loss of range of motion in the affected muscles.

Infectious Myositis

Infectious myositis develops as a result of infection in a muscle, or muscles. This can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. Infectious myositis often requires medication to kill the infection, as well as surgical drainage should an abscess form.

Autoimmune Myositis

Autoimmune myositis occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy muscle tissue and destroys it. This can occur after an acute injury or a bout of infection. Dermatomyositis and Polymyositis are two examples autoimmune myositis which are believed to be triggered by an acute injury or infection.

Drug-Induced Myositis

According to research conducted by Johns Hopkins Medicine1, statin drugs can cause your immune system to attack its own proteins, often causing myalgia (muscle pain/soreness) and, less often, myositis.

Symptoms of Autoimmune Myositis

The most common symptoms of autoimmune myositis are:

Muscle pain and soreness

Difficulty standing from a sitting position

Trouble reaching arms into the air

Swallowing and/or breathing difficulty

Persistent dry cough

Rash on the knuckles, hands, and around the eyes (dermatomyositis)

General fatigue and malaise

Natural Treatments for Myositis

Removal of Statin Drugs

If you’re currently taking a statin drug and are experiencing muscle soreness or pain, talk with your doctor about weaning off the medication. Oftentimes, drug-induced myalgia/myositis will correct itself once the cause has been removed.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Autoimmune Myositis

When you’re living with an autoimmune disease, an anti-inflammatory diet is of the utmost importance. Slowly wean off junk food and trade it in for organic produce, nuts, seeds, grass-fed beef, organic poultry, wild-caught fish, eggs, and healthy fats like butter, avocado, coconut oil, and olive oil.

In addition, garlic, onions, turmeric, ginger, and cayenne pepper all help provide soothing relief from inflammation.

Healing Supplements

CoQ10

According to a study published by The Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine2, CoQ10 (ubiquinone) can be helpful in treating the symptoms of myositis.

Statin drugs lower CoQ10 levels. In my opinion, those taking a statin drug should begin a CoQ10 supplement. If over age 30, take the form of CoQ10 known as ubiquinol.

Creatine

A study conducted in the Journal of Arthritis and Rheumatism3, oral creatine supplements combined with physical therapy improved functional performance without the side effects of corticosteroids and narcotic pain relievers.

Probiotics

The Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study4 that revealed probiotics modulate the immune response and augment the natural killer activity and T-cell functions of host immune cells. This makes them effective in the treatment of autoimmune disease.

Diamond Nutritional’s Inflamments Formula is a popular supplement among chronic pain sufferers because it offers superior anti-inflammatory benefits without the potentially-dangerous side effects of many prescription drugs.

The pharmacologically active component of turmeric, curcumin, limits the action of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase impeding enzymes in inflammatory pathways. Taken in conjunction with skullcap root and bee propolis, this simple kitchen spice offers a powerhouse of healing pain relief.

Relieve Your Pain Now

Note: While some manufacturers use unstandardized turmeric with fluctuating levels of curcumin, our formula includes 850 milligrams of standardized turmeric, guaranteed to contain 95% curcumin!

Dr. Maxwell is Board Certified in Family Medicine, Integrative Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine. He is one of a small number of physicians nationwide to attain, and maintain, certification in three medical specialties.

4 COMMENTS

I’ve suffered from myositis for over 15 years and my doctor just put me on statins! I never knew the connection! Thank you for this article. I’m going to talk to him about the cholesterol meds in the morning. *smh* You would think your doctor would know better.

Thank you for your comment. I’m glad you found the article helpful and that you’re going to talk with your doctor about the statins. If you already have chronic muscle pain, they aren’t likely the best choice for you. Please get in touch if there’s anything I can do to help you.

Currently my wife has been suffering with a extreme case of Dermatomyositis she is getting IVIG treatments every two weeks and is very itchy and sore 24/7 we are banadging the sores and rash with bactigras and mepiflex bandages . We are both very tired she is also on warfarin for clotting and ahve just seen a clinic for alternative medicine we had a live blood anaylisis done and purchased some supplements that she will try for the next two months and then return for another live blood test. We have bee thinking about trying Canabis Oil. Will this help her with the itching and soreness ??????

Hello,
I am sorry to hear what you and your wife have been going through. Cannabis oil may be very helpful!
Be sure to get an OK from you doctor before using it.
Please keep me posted on your wife’s progress.
Dr. Maxwell

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: I understand that Dr. Maxwell makes recommendations regarding health which involve nutrition, lifestyle changes and targeted supplement programs. I take full responsibility for any diet and health changes that I make. Although licensed to do so, Dr. Maxwell does not prescribe medication through these telemedicine consultations; that service must be rendered by my personal physician.